By Chris Fox
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a regular meeting on Nov. 16 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St. Two board members, Beth Hosler and Christopher Kocinski, were absent from the meeting.
Recent sports accomplishments recognized
The board recognized the pair of York High School athletic teams that recently won IHSA state championships. York’s girls cross-country and boys soccer teams both won state titles on Nov. 6. The two teams and their coaches attended the board meeting.
The Dukes won the IHSA Class 3A girls cross-country state championship at Detweiller Park in Peoria on Nov. 6. Later that evening, York’s boys soccer team won the IHSA Class 3A state title at Hoffman Estates High School. The Dukes defeated Fremd 4-0 in the championship match.
This is the York girls cross-country program’s second state title. The Dukes won the state championship in 2000. This is the York boys soccer program’s first state championship.
Board member Jim Collins read a proclamation recognizing York’s boys soccer team. Board member Karen Stuefen read a similar proclamation honoring York’s girls cross-country team.
Childhood cancer survivors honored
The board also recognized two Hawthorne Elementary School students during the meeting. Fifth-grader Cavan Fazzini and third-grader Emma Barz, who are both childhood cancer survivors, were recognized for organizing a recent fundraiser that raised $1,800 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Both Cavan and Emma were Make-A-Wish recipients. The fundraiser at their school featured a star sale. Stars were sold, for $1, at the school. Students could then write their own name on the star, or they could write the name of someone battling cancer, or someone who passed away from cancer. The stars were displayed in the hallway at Hawthorne Elementary School. The two-week fundraiser surpassed the goal of $1,500. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help grant a wish of providing a room makeover for a child.
Public discussion supports teachers
The meeting’s public-participation segment included comments from 13 people. Most of the commenters spoke in support of the district’s teachers. Some of the commenters stated that the district’s teachers had been subjected to inappropriate public criticism. Some of the comments referred to recent criticism of some school curriculums. A few of the commenters urged the board to issue a public statement in support of teachers.
Discussion of KPIs ensues
The board meeting also included a report regarding various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and how District 205 fares in those indicators with other comparable districts, including Barrington District 220, Batavia District 101, Naperville District 203, Indian Prairie District 204, St. Charles District 303 and Wheaton District 200. The indicators discussed included: eighth-grade passing algebra, ninth-grade on-track, early college coursework and graduation rates. According to information provided by District 205, the district’s eighth-grade passing algebra figure stood at 53 percent in 2019, 54 percent in 220 and 45 percent in 2021. A variety of indicators dropped during the 2020-21 school year, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across Illinois, 20 percent of students were reportedly chronically absent during the 2020-21 school year, missing 10 percent or more of the school year (with or without a valid excuse). The figure of 20 percent of students who were chronically absent during the 2020-21 school year represented a 21-percent increase over 2019.
The percentage of ninth-grade students on track in District 205 reportedly stood at 95 percent in 2019, 96 percent in 2020 and 97 percent in 2021. The graduation rate in District 205 was 95 percent in 2019, 95 percent in 2020 and 94 percent in 2021.
In addition to reporting about Key Performance Indicators, District 205 administrators discussed the district’s current School Improvement Plans (SIPs). That discussion noted that each School Improvement Plan includes a focused emphasis on student data, along with supporting students socially and emotionally.
The presentation about Key Performance Indicators and School Improvement Plans included a short video featuring comments from a few district students, who responded to questions asking about the differences between the 2020-21 school year and the current 2021-22 school year. The students also spoke about what they are now working on in their classes, and what is working well for them during the current school year.
Construction updates optimistic
Todd Schmidt, the district’s director of buildings and grounds, gave a brief update on two ongoing projects and spoke about some upcoming projects scheduled to start in the spring of 2022. Schmidt said the current project to build the new Lincoln Elementary School is moving along nicely. Schmidt said the construction of the new school is on schedule. The new Lincoln School should be ready to open in August 2022.
The project to install synthetic turf on the field in front of York High School is also progressing, said Schmidt. The field in front of York High School sits above underground stormwater storage vaults that were recently installed by the City of Elmhurst. Schmidt noted during the Nov. 16 meeting that the turf had been put in place and was being stitched together. The sand and pellets that will be part of the synthetic field had also been delivered, Schmidt said.
Speaking about upcoming projects, Schmidt told the board about recent bids for upcoming renovation and addition work at Jackson Elementary School. He said all of the lowest bids were over the district’s anticipated budget. He said the district and its contractor are evaluating those bids.
District 205 names transition center
Board members voted unanimously to approve the naming of the district’s new transition center to The District 205 Bridges Transition Center. The center is located at 407 W. St. Charles Road, near York High School. The district purchased the property, formerly known as The Abbey, from the Elmhurst Park District. One night before the Nov. 16 board meeting, the district held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the renovated facility for individuals with disabilities. The district’s rules require the board to approve the naming of district buildings.
School calendar updated
Board members voted 4-1 to approve the district’s updated 2022-23 school calendar. The update calls for changing Nov. 8, 2022, which is Election Day, from a school attendance day to a school holiday. Friday, April 7, 2023, which is Good Friday, will change from a non-attendance day to an attendance day. The last day of the 2022-23 school year will remain May 26, 2023.
The update was reportedly made because the State of Illinois designated Election Day 2022 as a legal holiday. That designation of Election Day as a legal holiday is reportedly only in effect for Nov. 8, 2022.
Board president Kara Caforio voted against the update to the district’s 2022-23 school calendar. She said she understood the update but felt there were other available options.
Campbell offers COVID-19 outlook
District 205 Superintendent Keisha Campbell provided a brief update regarding COVID-19 metrics and policies. Campbell noted that shortly before the start of the current school year, the board endorsed a plan to institute a mask-optional policy in its schools. Campbell stated that Gov. JB Pritzker’s Aug. 4 order mandating masks in schools and other indoor settings superseded District 205’s ability to offer a mask-optional environment. Campbell noted that the district adheres to Pritzker’s order to ensure its accreditation, and to allow the district’s students to participate in IHSA competitions.
Campbell noted a variety of differences from the 2020-21 school year to the current 2021-22 school year. She stated that about 10 percent of the district’s students never attended school in person during the 2020-21 school year. A significant portion of that school year featured exclusively remote instruction. While some students returned to in-person learning during the 2020-21 school year, others chose to remain in remote instruction.
Additionally, Campbell referred to athletic seasons, several of which were shortened or canceled during the 2020-21 school year. Additionally, spectator attendance was either limited or banned during some activities in the 2020-21 school year. IHSA sports are offering full athletic seasons during the current school year, and there are currently no spectator limits at York High School athletic events.
Campbell and board members referred to more than 5,000 incidents of district students quarantining during the 2020-21 school year due to close-contact policies related to COVID-19. Those incidents have dropped dramatically during the current school year. Board member Courtenae Trautmann said morale in the district’s school buildings is remarkable. Board member Athena Arvanitis referred to enthusiasm in District 205 schools, which she said has been regained.
School Board Members Day
Campbell mentioned that Nov. 15—the day before the board meeting—was Illinois School Board Members Day. She thanked the District 205 Board members for their service and noted that they serve, without pay, in an often thankless position. According to the Illinois Association of School Boards, November 15 of each year is designated as School Board Members Day in Illinois. There are reportedly about 6,000 elected school board members throughout the state.
The board will hold its next regular meeting—its final regular meeting of 2021, on Dec. 14.
